By the Grace of G-d6th of Tishrei,1Third Daytwice blessed with good,2Sedra Brocho,3 5748 —Year of Hakhel.4Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

At this time, in the beginning of the new year, which has the distinction of being a Year of Hakhel —

A year highlighted by the comprehensive Mitzvah which, in the time of the Beis Hamikdosh required the gathering (hakhel) of all Jews⁵ — "the people, the men, the women and the children"⁶ — in the Beis Hamikdosh, to hear the king read to them sections of the Torah,⁷ in order to be inspired with even greater commitment to the Mitzvos and with a still deeper sense of fear of G-d⁸ and devotion to Yiddishkeit, Torah and Mitzvos —

And pursuant to the previous letter, in which mention was made, albeit briefly, that although the Mitzvah of Hakhel in its fullest dimensions is connected with the time of the Beis Hamikdosh, it is nevertheless relevant in its spiritual content at all times⁹ and everywhere, including here and now,¹⁰

We will proceed here with this topic, focusing on some practical aspects¹¹ of the said relevancy as to how it is to be translated into concrete action, both in the community as a whole and in the personal life of a Jew as an individual.

* * *

First of all,¹² it is necessary to make the most of the inspiring atmosphere of these days of the month of Tishrei, especially heightened during Rosh Hashanah, Shabbos Shuva, and so on, to bring together men, women, and children, including very young children¹³ in a holy place and set-up, for the purpose which is the basis of the Mitzvah of Hakhel, namely: "In order that they should hear and should learn to fear G-d, your G-d, and carry out all the words of this Torah."¹⁴

It is incumbent upon everyone who is in the role of a "king,"¹⁵ a leader of a group — a Rabbi of a congregation, an educator of a group of students, a father in his family — to bring to the hearing of his group or circle, wherever he can, the words of the Torah and the message of its Mitzvos with forcefulness and solemnity that will make a lasting impression and influence on his audience;

An impression and influence that will be effectively felt throughout the whole year and during the seven years' cycle until Hakhel comes round again; an influence that will be expressed in the everyday life, translated into actual conduct based on Yiras HaShem,¹⁰ in terms of Torah learning and doing Mitzvos, all of this in a spirit permeated with joy¹⁷ and gladness of heart, in keeping with the spirit of Hakhel which is celebrated in the "Season of Our Rejoicing," the Festival of Succos.¹⁸

* * *

On a number of occasions during the past year¹⁹ we discussed the subject of the Divine commandment, "Let them make Me a Mikdosh²⁰ (Sanctuary) and I will dwell in their midst" — as interpreted by our Sages:²¹ "in the midst of (within) each and every²² Jew." I suggested that everyone — men, women, even small children²² — should transform the home, room, and possessions into a Mikdosh Me'at²⁴ ("Small Sanctuary") for HaShem to dwell in. There is the assurance of Torah, "Whoever is resolved to better himself receives help from On High"²⁵ — even to the extent of being worthy to have HaShem within him.

The same is true — indeed, even more emphatically, considering the nature of such a comprehensive matter and Mitzvah — in regard to Hakhel. Everyone should therefore consider it his/her obligation to carry out a Hakhel action, in relation to one's self and for those around, in an appropriate way that reflects the content of this Mitzvah.

Thus, describing the Mitzvah of Hakhel the Torah emphasizes the gathering together of the people, men, women, and children. Now, each of these sectors²⁶ constitutes a distinct group, with distinct characteristics, in addition to the general status as part and parcel of the people: Men are associated with the attribute of vigorous leadership, providing direction and guidance in the area of general conduct. Women have the important role of akeres habayis;²⁷ they are the "foundation" of the home, rearing and training the children²⁸ in their early infancy, etc. Children are the beneficiaries of parental care and teachers' instruction.

However, these distinctive attributes of manhood, womanhood, and childhood are not exclusively group characteristics. They are found, in various degrees, in every person, in the "small world"²⁹ of every individual. Every person possesses (and should exercise) all three distinct attributes — giving of his/her time and energy for the general benefit of both those at home and those in the community at large, while remembering that one never outgrows "childhood" in the sense that there is always much to learn. As our Sages declare:³⁰ "He is wise who learns from every person." The truly wise person is a disciple and student all one's life.

In this regard, too, the Mitzvah of Hakhel teaches every-one in his/her "small world" the need to assemble all the various attributes³¹ of "man, woman, and child" one possesses and, metaphorically speaking, bring them into one's inner "Beis Hamikdosh," in order to utilize them fully in the service of the Supreme King,³² with total dedication and Yiras Shomayim.

* * *

May HaShem grant that everyone, including the very young children, should fully utilize the extraordinary opportunities and powers which this year, a Year of Hakhel, brings with it, in all the abovementioned matters, in the form of actual deeds;

And through these Hakhel activities and gatherings everyone should achieve an even stronger and more effective inner unity, as it is written: "Unify my heart to fear Your Name";³³

And these increased far-reaching activities should bring still closer³⁴ and sooner the time when it will be possible to celebrate the Mitzvah of Hakhel in all its details, in the Beis Hamikdosh, listening to the words of the Torah read by the King-Moshiach, very soon indeed, in our own days.

With esteem and blessing for much Hatzlocho in all above, and with the blessing of chasimo ugmar chasimo tovo for a good and sweet year,

/Signed: Menachem Schneerson/

P.S. It would be well, in addition to Hakhel assemblies during the days of Succos, to move with alacrity and arrange advance assemblies also during the Ten Days of Teshuvah, and in the four days between Yom Kippur³⁵ and Succos.³⁶ And the more of it, the greater the merit.